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www.sportseventsmagazine.com
July 2018
17
t
GAME Plan
that do not normally include breakfast in
their rates will offer included breakfast to
entice teams to book with them," Akright
said.
In partnership with CVBs, many hotels
will post exterior and/or interior signage
to recognize the teams and welcome them
to the properties. These welcomes set the
tone for the guests' stay, improving hotel
and guest relations.
Binoli Dua, brand communications man-
ager for Hilton Worldwide, said, "Hilton
has always emphasized the importance of
athletics, fitness and personal wellness – it
is engrained in our history."
Dua shared details of a guest-centric
innovation that is at the core of Hilton's
DNA: "As travelers continue to evolve
to become more wellness-minded both in
their daily lives and while traveling for both
leisure and business, we want to continue
to meet those evolving needs and keep our
guests healthy and happy before, during
and after their stay," she said. "From being
the first hotel company to standardize hotel
gyms more than 20 years ago to introduc-
ing groundbreaking new concepts like the
Five Feet to Fitness in-room gyms, Hilton
continues to be on the forefront of trends in
wellness travel."
In 2017, Hilton introduced its Five Feet
to Fitness concept. Part traditional hotel
room, part miniature fitness center, Five
Feet to Fitness rooms are designed with
wellness in mind, as opposed to traditional
rooms with fitness equipment added as
an afterthought. Fast Company recently
recognized Hilton as a "most innovative
company" in the wellness space largely due
to the introduction of Five Feet to Fitness,
and the concept has been acclaimed by
many travel and lifestyle publications since
launching.
Currently, Five Feet to Fitness is avail-
able at nine Hilton-family properties across
the country from Hilton McLean, Virginia
to Parc 55 in San Francisco.
CVBs, in addition to sports commissions,
are also key resources when teams travel
to a destination, and many hotels and local
DMOs work hard to make sports teams feel
welcome.
"We do welcome our teams in unique
ways when possible," said Cherie Gwinn,
sports development manager of the
Spokane Sports Commission, referring to
the many hotels that cater to sports teams
in Spokane, Wash. "For many of these
athletes, this tournament might be the
culmination of a year's worth of sacrifice
or it could be the final step before reaching
their goal. That's a special experience so
we try to make their stay with us just as
special."
In Michigan, Stephanie Burns, director of
sales for the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand
Rapids Airport, said having experience with
multiple sports groups traveling to the
area allows the groups to work together to
welcome athletes, as well as their families
and fans.
"The West Michigan Sports Commission
recently hosted the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) lacrosse
tournament, in addition to events in ice
skating, baseball, volleyball, basketball
and they are currently in negotiations
with bowling and weight lifting groups,"
Burns said. "Having the flexibility to take
any sports team has really opened up a
great partnership with the West Michi-
gan Sports Commission and Experience
Grand Rapids for us.
"Our property is managed by National
Hospitality Services, which has 27 hotels
within its portfolio. All of our hotels have
the capability to host sports teams and
events. Being a full-service Marriott hotel,
we are able to provide extra amenities
which can be geared specifically to the
team," Burns said.
Spokane's Gwinn explained how the
Sports Commission works with local
hotel properties like the DoubleTree
when coordinating hotel stays for team
travel. The hotels understand that sports
teams and corporate guests are different
travelers with different needs: "They each
arrive at the hotel in different ways, they
wake up and eat at different times and
they each have their own unique set of
needs. Understanding and knowing that
can show a sports team you've taken the
time to learn about them and you
appreciate their business."
Banners. Snacks. Meeting rooms. On-site
or in-room athletic facilities or outdoor
space for warm-ups. Breakfast. Celebratory
pizza for the winning team. Transportation
assistance. These things make tournaments
magical, reduce stress and give families a
break. Look for the extra touches that mean
the most to your team. n
Marriott
The Delta Hotels by Marriott
Grand Rapids Airport has an
indoor pool with a three-story
waterfall.